Another thing ... get on your hands and knees and look around your space. That's what your kitty will be viewing. They seem to find the smallest thing that you didn't even realize was there. Pick things up off the floor, for sure. Keeping clothes on the floor is a nice litter box for your cat. Check for sharp edges everywhere and try to make sure your kitty can't get under or behind things like dressers or beds -- in the event they can't squeeze back out.

I have two versions of "yuck" I use to deter unwanted chewing. The first is some menthol infused med cream for insect bites. My little fuzzwad hopped on me while I was trying to take care of some bites and got some on his foot and was not happy. Since then, if I see him trying to play with the cord on the curtains or plants I dot a little on whatever I don't want him chewing. He just gives me a look like "WHY did you ruin that?" Now that he's an adult I've rarely had to do it.

For the computer cables he's only mouthed at the cables once or twice. Both times, I have a can of OFF insect spray. I very lightly sprayed the area and he won't go near it. I had him on his leash once and sprayed my ankles as I was planning to get down in the grass and plant some things and he took off and hid under a desk. So, he really hates the stuff. I don't blame him.

I've also heard that spraying a trash bag with bleach will keep animals off it, but obviously that can't be done freely in the house.

You have to be extremely careful if you are using any type of insecticide or medication. If the cat gets one lick of it, it could be fatal. Some cats do not like a vinegar or citrus smell, which is so much safer. I think the easiest thing is to get some type of piping (PVC probably) and run the cables through it. Would take a cat a long time to gnaw through something like that.

There are 2 stages in bengal-proofing your home.

Stage 1 - you do everything that you think you need to do before D-day ( B-day ??)

Stage 2 - the little darlings comprehensively show you all the things that you didn't know needed bengal-proofing.

;-)

The stuff you want to use to stop them chewing and biting things is called Grannicks Bitter Apple spray - it is cat-safe - never use medication or god-forbid insecticide.

Good luck, and remember, they calm down after the first year or so.